Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/258187
VOL. 51 ISSUE 6 FEBRUARY 11, 2014 P23 Briefly... Campbell To Be Honored The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce will honor Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager of Mazda Race- way Laguna Seca on Feb- ruary 27 at its annual com- munity awards luncheon with the Businesswoman of the Year Award. Camp- bell was acknowledged for her leadership in the growth and renown of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, a vital economic engine for the region. She has been the chief executive officer of the world-renown race- way since 2002 and has been the driving force be- hind the circuit's successful motorcycle, sports car and historic racing events held each year. "I am honored to receive this tremendous award," said Campbell. "It is truly the work of our board of directors, staff and the hundreds of volunteers who comprise the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula that have allowed for this ac- knowledgment." Schwantz For Donington Return Former 500cc World Cham- pion Kevin Schwantz will return to Donington Park in England this August for the Classic Motorcycle Festi- val, August 8-10. "I am re- ally looking forward to going to ride at the 2014 Classic Motorcycle Festival at Don- ington Park. Donington is a place where I've won so many Grand Prix and Trans- atlantic Match races, and I have great memories of rac- ing there. It goes without saying that it holds a very special place in my heart, as do all the English fans." E15 Fuels Update The Agricultural Act of 2014 signed into law by President Barack Obama last week contains a provi- sion that helps deter distri- bution of E15 fuels into the U.S. marketplace, accord- ing to the AMA, who consid- ers this farm-bill provision a major victory for the owners and riders of the estimated 22 million motorcycles and ATVs currently in opera- tion. Those vehicles could be damaged by the use of E15 fuel, a gasoline formu- lation that contains up to 15 percent ethanol by volume. Also, use of E15 can void owners' vehicle warranties, the AMA says. "It is gratify- ing to see our efforts on behalf of U.S. motorcyclists and ATV riders achieve this level of success," said Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations. "We plan to con- tinue to monitor the E15 is- sue, including the Environ- mental Protection Agency's proposal to reduce the 2014 requirements under its Re- newable Fuel Standard." PHOTOGRAPHY BY GOLD & GOOSE HAYDEN NOT HAPPY N icky Hayden didn't leave last week's Sepang test completely happy after post- ing the 13th fastest time of the 27 riders who turned laps over the course of the three days in Malaysia, but at least there was improvement over the course of the test with his new Drive M7 Aspar Honda RCV1000R. Hayden managed to drop another .773 of a second on the third and final day of testing at the Sepang International Circuit and for the first time of the test was less than two seconds off the times turned in by pacesetter Marc Marquez. Marquez was under the lap record with his 1:59.533 while Hayden's best was a 2:01.514. "It has been an interesting few days here and we have made progress each day," Hayden said. "Even so I was hoping to be further up the timesheets and to be a bit more competitive. Looking at the positives we have improved our lap times and our feeling for the bike, especially in corner entry. I know the team is working hard on the things that we know we need to improve and what we need to learn about this bike. We tried the new softer compound tire at the end of the day and it gave us a bit of help under ac- celeration. But the biggest improvements have been with the electronics and in corner entry. We clearly need a bit more power too, but the strong point of this Honda is that it handles well and it's a smooth ride." Nicky Hayden is hoping for more top speed and acceleration from his Honda RCV1000R. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GOLD & GOOSE